Written by Adrija Datta,
The IMD in Kolkata has issued a special weather bulletin forecasting increased thunderstorm activity and heavy rainfall across several districts of West Bengal between May 19 and May 22.
This development is attributed to the presence of a favourable wind pattern and significant moisture incursion from the Bay of Bengal.
According to the bulletin, thunderstorms accompanied by gusty winds, lightning, and light to moderate rainfall arelikely to occur at one or two places in several districts of South Bengal, including Purulia, Bankura, Paschim Bardhaman, Purba Bardhaman, Birbhum, North and South 24 Parganas, East and West Midnapore, Murshidabad, and Nadia.
Similar weather conditions are also expected in parts of North Bengal, specifically Malda, Uttar Dinajpur, Dakshin Dinajpur Jalpaiguri, Cooch Behar, and Alipurduar. Wind speeds are expected to reach 30-40 kmph in some areas and may increase to 40-50 kmph in others.
Additionally, some districts in the northern part of the state—namely Jalpaiguri, Cooch Behar, Alipurduar, Darjeeling, and Kalimpong—are likely to receive heavy rainfall ranging between 7 and 11 cm from May 19 to May 21. On May 20, isolated places in Jalpaiguri, Cooch Behar, Alipurduar, and North Dinajpur may experience heavy to very heavy rainfall in the range of 7 to 20 cm, accompanied by gusty winds reaching speeds of 50-60 kmph.
The meteorological department has outlined several possible impacts due to these weather conditions. These include potential damage to standing crops, vegetables, and horticultural produce; risk of lightning strikes in open fields; damage to loose or unsecured structures; traffic disruptions in urban areas; and the likelihood of landslides in the hilly terrains of Darjeeling and Kalimpong.
In light of these forecasts, the IMD has issued a public advisory, urging residents to seek shelter in safe places during thunderstorm activity. Citizens are advised to avoid taking refuge under trees or electric poles and to stay away from water bodies. Traffic movement is expected to be regulated judiciously to prevent disruption.